bellaireroad

Apparently in Texas, I can register my 69 as either an antique or classic. There are restrictions on driving with the antique plates, so I was planning on going with the classic registration.

What happens during inspection? Is the smog system required?

SBcoupeC3

I used to live in Texas. All they should do a a normal inspection for a car that is 25 years old or older. That means they check the lights, wipers, turn signals and such. No emissions inspection required. When I would take my car in, they would be done in about 5-10 minutes.

zwede

No, not true. A TX safety inspection includes visual of emissions equipment.

Most inspectors have no clue, but there is a chance you get some old dude that knows what to look for.

kcat-fan

where I go they look @ lights, turn signals, wipers, and horn...that's it. and as long as I yell HONK out the window they're good with the horn.

Tom73

Classic only lets you pay more for a plate that says Classic Car. Other than that it is the same as any other car.

Inspection requires a visual inspection of the smog system.

With Antique plates there is no inspection, plates are good for five years, and only cost about $50.00 ($5/yr). If you have classic insurance then antique plates are a good match.

holden7896

I'm in Texas and when I got my 82 with true dual exhaust and no smog equipment, it passed so I don't think they even visually check it.

bpassmore

In TX you can drive to a car show, every time you drive a Vett you are the show and there is a car show somewhere. You can drive them for maintenance, I don't know anyone who isn't always working on their Vette and taking them on a "test" drive.

uxojerry

I think parts of Tx are under smog restrictions and other parts exempt due to higher air quality. That may be why some say no cursory smog inspection and others say the opposite. My info may be dated. DFW and Houston areas had some smog rules while SAT and the west did not. If Im wrong sorry.

kcat-fan

I'm in small town in SE Tx. and they don't check here.

Street Rat

A vehicle over 25 years old is exempt from smog testing anywhere in Texas.

zwede

Lets' try this again:

Even if you don't need a smog inspection, you still need a safety inspection. A visual emissions check is part of the standard TX safety inspection. This is true anywhere in TX.

Like I said earlier: most of the time you get away with a hot rod, but there are no guarantees. They are supposed to check for any smog equipment that is listed on your underhood emissions sticker. If the sticker is missing, they have books.The visual inspection covers all 1968 and later cars.

Here it is on the dps site:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi/...nCriteria.aspx

Select "passenger car" on the dropdown and notice item 10:

10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)

bpassmore

Exemption list:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/VI/uniqueVeh.htm

Wrecked82

Wow. So it you have made any changes to the stock vehicle it is then a custom and exempt? Different headers, different dizzy, etc. etc. ?

zwede

They're working on it. The link says the bill passed, but the new inspection program is not ready yet, so we don't know what the inspection for a "custom vehicle" will look like.

Blackpony

in tx, if you register as antique, no inspection is required. safety or smog. I registered my 85 swb truck as antique, went and had the inspection done, and when i went to register, they told me this. i even got pulled over once for my window tint and the officer verified it for me. BUT if you register as classic then yes a safety inspection is required if its over 25 and if its less then 25 then a smog will be required if your country is under smog laws.

68vxm

I live in central Texas and got my ’68 inspected about a month ago. I was charged 14 bucks for a safety inspection only.

Tom73

Just thought you all may find this of interest. From the Texas environmental folks, TCEQ, and not the transportation dept.....

Texas law prohibits any person from selling, offering for sale, leasing, or offering to lease any vehicle not equipped with all emission control systems or devices in good operable condition. Violators are subject to penalties under the Texas Clean Air Act of up to $25,000 per violation. Buyers are advised to have the vehicle checked for all required emission control devices prior to purchasing a new or used vehicle.

A vehicle may not be legally sold if its original engine has been replaced with another certified engine but without the related emission control components. Tampering includes the failure to install the emission controls associated with an engine configuration.

http://m.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/m...tampering.html

TexasMadMan

Based on the stated law above, I'd say a lot of folks in Texas have broken the law. Depending on how long this has been law, I may have even broken it myself.

bpassmore

All the emission laws hinges on the "life of the vehicle". Check the EPA Mobile sources in the references of the TECQ there is a degradation formula, at some point the emission system become ineffective, at the end of the vehicle life. What is it?. (D) factor. The 25 year is probably the arbitrated agreed on point (a legal decision?) that the vehicle has reached it's life cycle. (Memo 1a to clean air bill 1972.)

MiguelsC2

I am running a 63 Texas dealer plate. No inspections or stickers.